History Carved In Stone

Created by man, built for eternity.

- Cornelia Kumfert

RAPA NUI, better known as Easter Island, is home to the moais (pictured). Around 900 of the colossal monolithic statues can be found dotted around this island in the South Pacific. Nobody is really sure what they represent. Some researchers believe that they formed part of a cult of the dead and depict former chieftains or deified ancestors. Another mystery surrounding the figures— which are made from tuff and can stand up to ten meters high and weigh more than 80 tons—is how they were transported to their final locations. Only the island’s native Rapa Nui inhabitants are certain of the answer to this puzzle. According to them, the moais walked there!